AI-generatedRotorua at a glance
- Best time
- Oct – Apr
- Warmest month
- Jan · 24°
- Sunshine a year
- 2,070 h
- Rain a year
- 1,463 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+13 / UTC+12
- Elevation
- 287 m
Climate in Rotorua
Rotorua has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. January is the warmest month with average highs of 24 °C, while July is the coolest at 13 °C. With around 2,070 hours of sunshine a year, Rotorua is moderately sunny; January is the sunniest month with 7.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Rotorua
The best time to visit Rotorua is from October to April. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable from January to May and in November. Rain is frequent from July to September; the wettest month is July with 145 mm.
Rotorua through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Rotorua in spring
Sep – Nov
Good
- 16–20 °C by day
- 5.9 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Rotorua in summer
Dec – Feb
Good
- 22–24 °C by day
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 35 rainy days in all
Rotorua in autumn
Mar – May
Good
- 16–22 °C by day
- 5.4 h of sun a day
- 31 rainy days in all
Rotorua in winter
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 13–14 °C by day
- 4.4 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Jan – May, Nov
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jul – Sep
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Rotorua for you.
Your best months: January – March
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Good
Best time to visit: October – April
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 11°
- Midday, 13:00: about 17°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 17°
- Evening, 20:00: about 14°
- Night, 23:00: about 11°
06:3019:31
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:14–07:05 · evening 18:56–19:47
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:03–06:14 · evening 19:47–19:58
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Rotorua compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs rise from about 17° at the start of the month to 19° at the end. The days get 1.2 h longer.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 17° | 19° |
| Night-time low | 7° | 9° |
| Daylight | 12.4 h | 13.6 h |
What is the weather like in Rotorua in October?
In October, Rotorua is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 121 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Rotorua.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 13 h 1 min06:30 – 19:31
- UV index
- 8 · very highclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 20 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 63 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Time zone
- UTC+13offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %97 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %48 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %34 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses & sun hat
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Rotorua
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
January has the better holiday weather in Rotorua: score 80 against 68. In January, days are 6 °C warmer than in October. January has 2 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in January.
| Month | October | January |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 68 | 80better |
| Daytime high | 18° | 24° |
| Night-time low | 8° | 13° |
| Sunshine | 5.9 h | 7.7 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 13 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 121 mm | 104 mmbetter |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Rotorua month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
80January24° · 7.7 h
In January, Rotorua is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7.7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 104 mm in total. All in all, January is an excellent month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in January80February24° · 6.9 h
In February, Rotorua is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 14 °C. The sun shines for around 6.9 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 105 mm in total. All in all, February is an excellent month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in February78March22° · 6.4 h
In March, Rotorua is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. Expect around 6.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 100 mm in total. All in all, March is a good month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in March75April19° · 5.3 h
In April, Rotorua is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. Expect around 5.3 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 116 mm in total. All in all, April is a good month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in April62May16° · 4.5 h
In May, Rotorua is mild: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. Expect around 4.5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 128 mm in total. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in May48June14° · 4.1 h
In June, Rotorua is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. Expect around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 137 mm in total. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in June42July13° · 4.1 h
In July, Rotorua is cool: daytime highs average 13 °C, and nights cool down to about 4 °C. Expect around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 145 mm in total. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in July46August14° · 5.0 h
In August, Rotorua is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. Expect around 5.0 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 124 mm in total. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in August57September16° · 5.1 h
In September, Rotorua is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. Expect around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 135 mm in total. All in all, September is a so-so month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in September68October18° · 5.9 h
In October, Rotorua is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 8 °C. Expect around 5.9 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 121 mm in total. All in all, October is a good month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in October75November20° · 6.6 h
In November, Rotorua is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 10 °C. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 111 mm in total. All in all, November is a good month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in November70December22° · 6.5 h
In December, Rotorua is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 12 °C. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 138 mm in total. All in all, December is a good month for a holiday in Rotorua.
Rotorua in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Rotorua
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
CoolOctober: nights around 8°. A duvet at night and a jumper for the evening.
The coolest nights are in July (4°), the warmest in February (14°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from June to September, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 80 | 24° | 13° | 7.7 h | 11 | 104 |
| FebruaryFeb | 80 | 24° | 14° | 6.9 h | 10 | 105 |
| MarchMar | 78 | 22° | 12° | 6.4 h | 10 | 100 |
| AprilApr | 75 | 19° | 10° | 5.3 h | 10 | 116 |
| MayMay | 62 | 16° | 8° | 4.5 h | 11 | 128 |
| JuneJun | 48 | 14° | 5° | 4.1 h | 11 | 137 |
| JulyJul | 42 | 13° | 4° | 4.1 h | 12 | 145 |
| AugustAug | 46 | 14° | 5° | 5.0 h | 14 | 124 |
| SeptemberSep | 57 | 16° | 6° | 5.1 h | 13 | 135 |
| OctoberOct | 68 | 18° | 8° | 5.9 h | 13 | 121 |
| NovemberNov | 75 | 20° | 10° | 6.6 h | 12 | 111 |
| DecemberDec | 70 | 22° | 12° | 6.5 h | 14 | 138 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
38.14° S, 176.25° E · 287 m · Pacific/Auckland
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Rotorua
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 5.9 of 13.0 hours of daylight in Rotorua, 45 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain
Rain in Rotorua: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Rotorua has about 13 rainy days with 121 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Rotorua
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 8 · very highStay in the shade around midday; SPF 50, clothing, hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in December (UV 10).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 15 min
- Fair skin
- about 20 min
- Light brown skin
- about 30 min
- Olive skin
- about 40 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & clouds
Wind and clouds in Rotorua
How breezy and how cloudy Rotorua is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Rotorua typically peaks at 20 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 63 % of the sky over Rotorua: variable cloud, with about 5.9 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Planning a trip to Rotorua
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Rotorua in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Rotorua has its best school-holiday weather during the Easter holidays (score 76) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 45).
- 76
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
GoodBest holidays
- 20 °C by day
- 5.6 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 59
May half-term
May – Jun
Fair
- 16 °C by day
- 4.4 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 45
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- 4.7 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 68
October half-term
Oct
Good
- 18 °C by day
- 5.9 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
- 75
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Good
- 23 °C by day
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 22 h 50 min
- Distance
- 18,510 km
- Time zone
- UTC+13
- Jet lag
- About 12 days (12 h east)
Rule of thumb for flying east: for a few days before, go to bed and get up a little earlier, and get plenty of morning light at your destination.
Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: New Zealand
- Currency
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Languages
- English, Māori
- Sockets
- Type I · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the left
- Dialling code
- +64
- Emergency number
- 111
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Rotorua compared
Put Rotorua side by side with another destination.
Rotorua vs Tauranga
In October Tauranga has the better holiday weather (score 74 vs 68). During the day it is about as warm in Tauranga as in Rotorua.
| in October | Rotorua | Tauranga |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 68 | 74 |
| Daytime high | 18° | 18° |
| Sea | no sea nearby | 16° |
| Sunshine | 6 h | 6 h |
| Rainy days | 13 | 12 |
| Best time | Oct – Apr | Oct – May |
Through the year
Best places in the country
New Zealand in October: the best places
In October, Rotorua ranks 8 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hastings19°82
- 2Tauranga18°16°74
- 3Blenheim18°74
- 4Auckland18°16°71
- 5Matamata18°69
- 6Cambridge18°69
- 7Masterton17°69
- 8RotoruaThis page18°68
Places nearby
Near Rotorua
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Rotorua
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Rotorua's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Rotorua
When is the best time to visit Rotorua?
The best time to visit Rotorua is from October to April. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Rotorua?
January is the warmest month, with average highs of 24 °C and nights around 13 °C. July is the coolest month at 13 °C.
When does it rain most in Rotorua?
Rain is frequent from July to September; the wettest month is July with 145 mm. The driest month is March with 100 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Rotorua get?
Rotorua gets around 2,070 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is January with 7.7 hours a day; in June there are 4.1 hours a day.
What time zone is Rotorua in?
Rotorua is on UTC+13 in January and UTC+12 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Rotorua?
A nonstop flight from London to Rotorua takes about 22 h 50 min, for a straight-line distance of about 18,510 km. Most routes need a change of planes, which adds time.
Which school holidays are best for Rotorua?
Rotorua has its best school-holiday weather during the Easter holidays (score 76) and its weakest during the summer holidays (score 45). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 76, May half-term 59, summer holidays 45, October half-term 68, Christmas holidays 75.